Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride of the Illinois Supreme Court and Chief Judge Ann Callis of the Third Judicial Circuit announced Thursday that news cameras will be allowed in the criminal trial courts in Madison County under a pilot program approved by the Supreme Court earlier this year.The Third Circuit follows the 14th Judicial Circuit in the Quad Cities area where extended media coverage has already been implemented under the experimental program, as well as the 21st Circuit which received approval last week for allowing news cameras at criminal trials in Kankakee County.“I congratulate Chief Judge Callis for moving her circuit forward in this experimental program,” said Chief Justice Kilbirde. “Madison County and the surrounding area is known for a vibrant and energetic brand of media. Because of its proximity to St. Louis, it will provide the pilot program with input from metropolitan TV and radio stations, who are already accustomed to camera coverage in Missouri courts.“The pilot program is proceeding in the 14th Circuit where still or video cameras have already recorded actual court proceedings in Rock Island, Henry and Whiteside counties. In the 21st Circuit, Chief Judge Kathy Bradshaw Elliott has met with media in the Kankakee and Chicago area and expects to implement camera coverage shortly. As the pilot project goes forward in another geographical area of the state, the most important issue is to continue to balance carefully the goals of greater openness and access with dig-nity for the process and the guaranteed rights of defendants to a fair trial.”

Asked and AnsweredBy John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMCQ. Our firm, a 17 attorney firm in St. Louis, Missouri, is having a major problem with client defections. We practice in the area of insurance defense exclusively. We have lost several insurance company clients and for those that we are working with - our case assignments are dwindling. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions?

ISBA’s Board of Governors has adopted a resolution reaffirming its opposition to fee splitting with non-lawyers and the ownership of law firms by non-lawyers. Both issues are under active consideration by the ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20 and could come before the ABA House of Delegates this August. ISBA leaders intend to introduce its resolution, along with support from other bars, at the same time.President-elect John E. Thies presented the resolution at the March 9 meeting of the ISBA Board in Quincy. He noted that the proposed changes in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct run counter not only to ISBA policy but also to ABA policy established in 2000 that stated: “The law governing lawyers that prohibits lawyers from sharing legal fees with non-lawyers and from directly or indirectly transferring to non-lawyers ownership or control over entities practicing law should not be revised.”Earlier in 2000, ISBA’s Assembly adopted a report urging the ABA House to reject proposed changes to permit sharing of fees with non-lawyers and ownership of law firms by non-lawyers. That policy remains in effect.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Senate Bill 3792 (Mechanics Lien Act), Senate Bill 3359 (Sex offenders), Senate Bill 2953 (Recording of title instruments), Senate Bill 2952 (Statute or repose for attorneys), Senate Bill 3823 (Sanctions for visitation violations) and Senate Bill 3234/House Bill 4695 (Debtors' Prisons). More information on each bill is available below the video.